Nelly and Vibe Magazine will be hosting “A Black Affair” tonight at Roxy Orlando. The night will celebrate “Nelly’s 10 years in the game with an evening of legendary lyrics and bold flavors.” I wouldn’t necessarily describe Nelly’s music as “legendary” but I have been known to enjoy it quite a bit.

The night is invitation only from 10 p.m. – midnight, but doors open to the public at midnight and the club will be open until 3 a.m. The cover is $10 at the 21-and-up event that has a dress code of black attire to match the theme of the night. Nelly will also be hanging out at the club after the private event. For more information call 407-898-4004.

Wall Street Plaza (different from The Plaza where the Downtown Pour is taking place) will have the pool set up once again for its monthly “Summer Splash” event. Rain cut this short last month, but while it lasted it looked like every one had a pretty good time. The outdoor pool party will feature live music by Awestruck, James Boyd Band and Megaphone and will be hosted by MC Johnny Shine.

Sipping unlimited samples of wine isn’t a bad way to spend a Saturday afternoon. So try it for yourself at this year’s Downtown Pour. Now in its sixth year, the wine festival will be taking place at a new location at The Plaza (not to be mistaken with Wall Street Plaza – two different places everyone) on Orange Avenue in downtown Orlando. Besides more than 200 wines, there will also be microbrews, imported beers and food samples. Giveaways and prizes also will take place during the four-hour event, but make sure to get there early, since lines tend to get long and the spirits are cut off an hour before the end of the festival.

When I had last stopped by they were only open a week, but still I enjoyed the funky little beer and wine haven inside the antique furniture shop. The owner, John Washburn, was still in the process of finishing touches at that point, including the construction of an outside beer garden.

Well it looks like they’re ready for the public now. Tomorrow night they’ll be celebrating their grand opening from 6-9 p.m. with live entertainment and complimentary select wines and beers.

This is one of the coolest settings for a bar I’ve seen in a while, with a great beer and wine selection. Definitely check it out.

Tastings, offers the same Enomatic machines dispensing wine, except there is no card fee and their “full glass” is six-ounces versus The Wine Room’s five-ounces which I like. The dress code is a bit more casual than you’ll find at The Wine Room as well. I’ve worn flip-flops in there once and no one batted an eye.

What I didn’t get to experience at The Wine Room is one of my favorite features at Tastings, their outside seating. Since Tastings is located on the second floor of the Dynetech Centre at 111 N. Magnolia Avenue they have fantastic balcony seating that catches a wonderful breeze and best of all is dog-friendly for my pooch-loving readers. Since the inside space is smaller than The Wine Room, this balcony adds a lot of seating.

On Thursday through Sunday there is live entertainment, and Monday – Wednesdays there is a great flatbread and bottle of wine special for $20. They also do $3 select wines from 5 – 7 p.m. Monday – Friday.

If Park Avenue is a bit too snooty for your taste or you live in downtown Orlando, this is fantastic option if you like what The Wine Room has to offer. I definitely suggest you check it out.

Every Thursday you can leave work and act like your on vacation for a few hours at the Westin Imagine Orlando.

Starting this week, the hotel will host an Acqua Pool Party from 5-10 p.m. for locals and guests alike every Thursday. Here’s an excerpt from the press release:

“Enjoy a relaxing evening while reclining on comfortable lounge chairs that surround the hotel’s swank, 102,000-gallon lagoon pool which is nestled in an oasis of palm trees and lush greenery, sip libations from the Acqua Pool Bar, or simply dance to the latest hits spun by a celebrity DJ.”

Sounds pretty all right to me. If it ever rains the 21-and-up-only party will be moved into the lobby. There is no cover and dress is pool attire. Drink specials include Absolut Martinis and Malibu cocktails for $5 , beer for $4 and select house wines for $3. There will also be a light-fare menu available.

The Westin Imagine Orlando is at 9501 Universal Blvd. in Orlando. To find out more information, call 407-233-2200.

Finally, a venue in downtown Orlando is hosting a weekly GLBT night. It’s not a full-time club or bar, but it’s definitely a step in the right direction.

The Monkey Bar at 26 Wall Street (inside Wall Street Plaza and above WaiTiki) will be hosting “Jungle Sundays” every Sunday from 4 p.m. – 2 a.m. There is no cover and there will be drinks specials and live entertainment weekly. The new night (late afternoon) started last Sunday and is a very welcome change to the downtown nightlife landscape. Go to Jungle Sundays Facebook Page to find out more information.

Stuff your face with food samples and wash them down with beers from all over during this year’s Florida International Beer Festival. The annual event will again take place at Heritage Square Park in downtown Orlando and offer samples from area restaurants as well as free soft drinks, bottled water and imported and craft-beer samples. There will be live music from Blender and free entry into Latitudes at 33 W. Church Street in downtown Orlando later that night. The festival is a 21-and-up event and it will take place rain or shine. No pets are allowed. Tickets can be purchased in advance at several locations around Orlando; go to http://www.floridabeerfestivals.com for a complete list.

WHEN: 4-8 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Heritage Square Park at 65 E. Central Blvd. in downtown Orlando (next to the Orange County Regional History Center)

You don’t need to be a fan of golf to have a good time at Saturday’s Putt Pub Crawl. For the third year in a row, the folks at Citrus Civitan of Orlando are hosting the event to benefit charities from Habitat for Humanity to the American Cancer Society. The nine bars included in this year’s pub crawl are Ember, Finnhenry’s, Wall Street Cantina, The Other Bar, WaiTiki, Crooked Bayou, Brix, The Celt and Urban Flats. Each bar will feature a miniature golf hole and varied drink specials, and participants are encouraged to get dressed up (I’m waiting for the parade of Tiger Woods’ wannabe mistresses). There are up to six foursomes that start at each bar (I’m referring to golf again) and rotate along the course, or crawl throughout the day ending with a winner’s ceremony at the “19th hole.” Prizes also will be given out for “Best Dressed Team,” “Best Team Name,” “Best Score” and “Best Hole.”

WHEN: 11:30 a.m. Saturday opening ceremonies, 12:30 p.m. “tee off”

WHERE: Ember at 42 W. Central Boulevard in downtown Orlando

COST: $15 for individuals, $50 for a foursome in advance; $30 for individual, $110 for a foursome for VIP; $25 for an individual and $90 for a foursome day of